Closure arrangement for milk cans



Nov. 4 -4- 1' 1,513,921

E. MENEFEE CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT FOR MILK CANS Filed March 15, 922

E3155 Menafea- Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITE STATES ATET orrlcr.

ELMER MENEFEE, or GILBERT, OHIO, esslenon or ONE-HALF 'To CHALMER o.

rrnnnrnn, or SAINT LoUisvrLLn, OHIO.

CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT FOR MILK CANS.

Application filed March 15, 1322. Serial No. 543,941.

To all whom it may concern:

{Be it known that I, EL-Mnn Mnivnrnn, a citizenof the United States, residing at Gilbert, in the county of Muskingum and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Closure Arrangements for Milk Cans, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in closure arrangements for containers such as milk cans.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of novel means for retaining a closure member in operative relation to a container at all times. I

A further object of the invention is the provision of a loop shaped arrangement for normally maintaining the closure member of a container in operative relation to the latter, whereby an operator may utilize the same for properly aligning the closure member the opening of the container.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a closure arrangement of the above mentioned character, in whichthe lid and container are provided with a novel fastening arrangement.

Other objects and advantages 'willbe apparent duringthe courseof the following detailed description.

"In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein-similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional viewof-a milk can, showing the manner in v which a'closu-re member is assembled upon the cont-ainer,;and including the details of the improved retaining and fastening arrangements.

Figure Q is a side elevation of the upper portion of a milk container, showing the closure member in position thereon; this View further illustrating the fastening arrangement of this invention.

In-the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the letter A designates a milk can of any approved type, including the container B, and closure-memher (I. The novelty of this invention resides inthe retaining arrangement D, andfastenmg arrangement E, ;for cooperatively associating the closure member and container, whereby the milk can A may be handled in the mostfacile manner.

The container B may conform to anyrapproved type of receptacle, although, it is preferred that the same be of that type ordinarily used by farmers, dairymen, and the like in the shipping of milk. This type of container B ordinarily comprises a body 10 having the upwardly converging or tapered portion 11 leading to a constricted neck 12. This neck 12 ordinarily includes the cylindrical portion 13, arranged vertically, and the outwardly flaring mouth portion 14, diverging from the portion .12. In adapting the neck portion 13 and outwardly flaring mouth portion 14 for receiving the closure member 0 and its novel retaining and fastening arrangement, .the aperture 16 is provided through the bevelled or outwardly flaring portion 14. A slot 17 is likewise provided upon this month portion 14 of the container diametrically opposed to the aperture .16; said slot being preferably arranged axially of the container B, in order tocooperate with the fastening arrangement E to be subsequently described. It is preferred, that a reinforcing plate .18 be provided exteriorlyof the mouth 1%, having a slot latherethrough, adapted for alignment withthe slot 17, so that when said reinforcing plate 18 is in position upon the outer surface of the mouth A, by welding, the slots .17 and 19 align to, in fact, form .a single slotted opening for the transverse disposal of a staple 20, which is affixed to the cover C in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

The cover C may be of the conventional type, including a bottom cap portion 25, having the upstanding cylindrical flange 26 annularly disposed thereabout; this flange 2c, in fact,being that portion adapted for fitting within the neck portion 13 of the container B. The closure member C furthermore includes an upwardly extending and outwardly flaring portion 27 formed from the-upper marginal edge of the annular flange 26; this portion 27, in fact, being that portion adapted for lying or abutting upon the inside surface of the container mouth 14. A hand engaging member 30 may be provided in the hollow of the closure member C, hidden beneath the upper marginal edge of said closure member, as in conventional construction.

Referring to the retainer means D, the same preferably comprises a flexible and onclosed loop shaped member, preferably a chain, formed of a plurality of links 35. It is an essential feature of the retainer means D, that the same be of looped formation, and of flexible character. This loop shaped member D is preferably threaded through the aperture 16 in the container mouth 14, and likewise engages through an aperture 37 provided in the mouth engaging portion 27 of the cover C. By this arrangement, it is obvious that the cover C will at all times be connected to the container 13, against liability of loss therefrom. The flexible loop shaped member D, however, is freely movable through the apertures 16 and 37, and is of such size as to readily permit attachment of the closure member C in the neck 12 of the container B, or permit the detachment of the closure member G to hang adjacent the sides of the container B,

substantially as is illustrated in the dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The fastening arrangement E is provided for cooperation with the retaining loop D, and includes the staple element which extends outwardly from the flange portion 27 of the closure member C, being posi- "ed to be caught by a snap fastener or other securing element, which may be flexibly supported by a chain element ii; the chain 11 itself being fastened as at 42 to the outer surface of the mouth 14 of the I rentaliner B.

In operation, assuming the lid or closure member C to be removed from the container B, so as to lie in the position illustrated in dotted lines of Figure 1, should an operator desire to close member C on the con tainer B, it is at once obvious, that as the retaining member D is drawn taut, the closure member or lid C will slide into position whereby the apertures 16 and 37 are in alignment. Consequently, as the staple 20 will ride through its slot in themouth 1 1. By engaging the snap fastener 40 through the portion of the staple 20 which extends from the slots 17 and 19 it is ob vious that the closure member C is locked in position upon the container B, for retaining the contents in sealed condition within the milk can A.

From the foregoing it can be seen that retaining and fastening arrangements for milk cans and like receptacles has been provided, whereby the closure members of such receptacles may be regulated in facile manner, to handle the receptacles in the mostefficient manner. It is apparent, to those skilled in the art, and acquainted with the trade, that by the provision of the improved retaining and fastening arrange ment herein shown, milk cans can readily be shipped, and handled, with little deterioration upon the parts of the milk can A, or without liability of loss of the contents thereof. Since the retaining member D is freely movable through the openings 16 and 37, the wear will be equal upon all the links 35.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts of the improvements herein shown and described, may be made to the form of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. I claim: 1. In a device of the class described, th combination with a container and a cover, of a flexible loop shaped member passing through registering openings in the cover and container to maintain them in operative relation and adapted to be drawn upwardly through the openings and held taut while putting the cover in place, a staple member rigidly mounted upon said cover and extending downwardly and outwardly from the cover for extending through a slot in thecontainer, and means for engaging the protruding end of the staple whereby the cover may be locked upon said container.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a container and a cover, of an endless loop shaped member of flexible material passing through registering openings in said cover and container to maintain them in operative relation and having all portions freely movablethrough the openings, a staple member rigidly mounted upon said closure member opposite said loop shaped member and extending downwardly and outwardly from the cover for cooperating through a transverse slot in the container, and locking means for engaging the end of said staple which extends from said transverse slot, whereby the closure member may be looked upon said container.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a container and lid therefor, said container and lid having apertures transversely disposed therethrough upon the abutting surfaces thereof, whereby when the lid is upon said container said apertures will be in alignment, a flexible loop shaped member disposed through said apertures in the lid and container, for swingably mounting the lid upon said container and adapted to have any portion passed through the openings, a staple member rigidly secured to the lid and mounted to extend laterally of said lid at a point directly opposed to the aperture therein, said container having a slot transversely disposed therethrough at a point diametrically opposed to the aperture which is formed therein, said lid bearing such relation to the container as to have the staple extend transversely through the slot when the lid is in closed position upon the container, a snap fastener, and means securing the snap fastener to said container for detachable engagement upon the end of said staple which is adapted for extending through the slot in said container.

4:. In a device of the class described, the combination with a container and lid therefor, said container and lid having apertures transversely disposed therethrough upon the abutting surfaces thereof, whereby when the lid is upon said container said apertures will be in alignment, an endless chain disposed through said apertures in thelid and container, for swingably mounting the lid upon said container, a staple member mounted to extend laterally of said lid at a point directly opposed to the aperture therein, said container having a slot transversely disposed therethrough at a point diametrically opposed to the aperture which is formed therein, said lid bearing such relation to the container as to have the staple extend transversely through the slot when the lid is in closed position upon the container, a snap fastener, means securing the snap fastener to said container for engagement to the end of said staple which is adapted for extending through the slot in said container, said closure member when in position to have the container open adapted to depend adjacent a side thereof. and when an operator places same over said container for sealing the same, said endless chain having been drawn taut, the closure member may be guided over a portion of said taut drawn chain, whereby the staple may be directed into the slot provided in the container.

ELMER MENEFEE. 

